The "Fist", as this sculpture by Robert
Graham at the foot of Woodward Avenue has become known, is actually
entitled "Monument to Joe Louis". Behind the fist is the
Coleman Young Municipal Center; behind the forearm is the post modern
Hines building.

July
17, 2000

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DOWNTOWN MONTAGE

I may be the only person in Detroit who
likes The Fist.

Since its unveiling in 1985 The Fist has
been controversial. Complaints ranged from its presenting a
violent message somehow evocative of black power to the prickly fact
that a monument to Detroit's greatest athletic celebrity of Afro
American heritage was created by an artist of non Afro American
heritage. The latter complaint led to the construction of an alternate full
figured and tame Joe Louis in Cobo Hall. More....